I happen to like my rear wiper, I just wish it wasn't a big plastic thing that hopps
when I reach a certain speed. I saw someone selling chrome covers for it on
EBay, but I couldn't tell if they were metal or plastic, and they sold out before they
answered my question.

Are there any direct swaps with other cars or maybe a nice metal (or chrome plated!!)
upgrade that anyone is aware of? I was thinking about trying out wiper arms from
other toyotas, but I figured I'd ask to see if anyone had upgraded their wiper arm yet.

Thanks!

 

Unlike many others who have taken theirs off, I chose to keep my on. I have the chrome cover (Chrome plated plastic) on mine which I now see on eBay from time to time. Thou, I paid much more then they are selling on eBay. Currently I don't know of any other mods for the wiper other then taking it off. Maybe a CF one would be nice?

 

i'm thinking of having mine painted body color.
dunno though, i might just paint mine in a satin silver.

 

a cf one is a good idea just like the chrome but in CF...
hmmmmmm......

 

I got mine from the guy on e-bay (keyaun??) for $25. It looks good on my bling xB
See photos her: https://www.scionlife.com/gallery/sh...php?photo=2949

 

Bump for ya

I'm interested in finding a way to make the rear wiper more effective too. I noticed two other xB's in the past few days whose rear window has the exact same streaking pattern as mine from all the road grime after a snowstorm.

I am also interested in keeping the wiper and the rain x doesn't cut it.

 

I'm sorry, but why would you want to draw more attention to an ugly useless rear wiper by putting a chrome cover on it. It just looks like it shouldn't be there in the first place,knowwhatImean
They should have made it a port installed option. That way people would have been able to pass on it.
The only way to make it work better would be to make the spring stiffer so it holds the blade tighter on the window. That would also solve some of the vibration problems.

 

Has anyone tried to make the rear wiper intermitent? I'm thinking of taking my 4Runner apart to see if the intermitent relay could be modified to work on the xb. That way it would at least you wouldn't have to turn it off and on eery few minutes. I know mine after about two swipes starts jumping, even in a heavy downpoor or running down the interstate. If someone has already done this, please let me know. If not, and I can get it to work, I'll post a tech article and pics on the mod.

 

How much do you want to tinker?

http://www.techlib.com/files/wiperkik.pdf

 

Another option: http://tinyurl.com/qjpce

 

^^Man it's been a long time since I've had to read wiring schematics. LOL Had to refresh myself on the drawings. I'll give that a try tho. Thanks.

 

Keep us posted on this little device, 'cause I'm very interested in a rear wiper delay feature.

 

I was looking into a replacement wiper too, but in the end I decided to just shave it... pretty much useless anyway. I think it looks better shaved, plus now that damn rattle is gone

 

That's nice; that's kewl; looks are important . . . BUT for commuting here in MN, removal is NOT an option -- that's a NECESSARY piece of equipment if I want to see out the back window . . . and visibility is a GOOD thing!!

 

I was hoping someone might have replaced the whole wiper arm, one with a stronger spring, say from another Toyota auto. If so, what model etc.? I saw a great long strong springed one on a Subaru. Also it could clear more area if it were longer.

I just got my 2006 xB. It only has 6000 miles on it but the 12" rubber rear window wiper blade is already dry/dead. It leaves streaks. That, and I can slide a piece of paper between it and the glass in some places when it's sitting still. In other words, there's the combination of the dead rubber and the weak spring in the wiper arm that doesn't hold the blade close enough to the glass.

FWIW: I'd be concerned about anything other than flat black for the wiper arm color. I'm thinking chrome might cause even just a few unwanted reflections. My eyes are so sensitive that I won't even use silicone impregnated blades because they coat the window with a microscopic layer of silicone and cause glare at night.

One suggestion for the poster who was thinking of removing the wiper arm all together. I tried RainX on a Isuzu Trooper's rear window—it caused lots of glare at night but it does cause water to flow mo betta.

One other suggestion for warm climate drivers: Try 7 oz of 20/10 in your windshield washer reservoir. One squirt removes the oil-like film that accumulates on the windshield. Here in Hawaii we get acid rain/pollution from China and VOG emissions from our volcano.

Thanks,

Kerry